Ocean Winds, Tides & Currents

When we think of Pondicherry, images of quiet beaches and French cafés often come to mind. But beneath the calm waves lies a dynamic system of motion, history, and life. Recently, we joined Aurofolio—a local coastal conservationist and sailing expert for a deep dive into the ocean winds, tides, and currents of our unique bioregion. The session was part dialogue, part discovery, and fully unforgettable.

We began by gathering at the Pondicherry Yacht Club, where our instructor Filio, greeted us with a calm smile and a tidal wave of knowledge. His background in coastal management and years of working with groups like PondyCAN have made him one of the most passionate protectors of our coastline and the perfect guide for this experience.

From Celestial Pulls to Coastal Pushes

Filio walked us through the science of tides—how the sun and moon orchestrate the rhythmic rise and fall of water, and how our coastline in Pondicherry is shaped by this invisible choreography. We learned how high tides and low tides occur twice a day, why spring and neap tides happen twice a month, and how even a 45-minute shift can change the coastline’s behavior. It’s not just gravity, it’s geometry, time, and energy.

But it wasn’t all theory. We also got into the impact of human decisions like harbour, dams, and sand mining and how they disrupt this finely balanced system. What used to be a stable, natural coastline is now fragile and fragmented.

Catching the Wind

From tides, we moved to winds and monsoons, how they swirl through the ocean and over the land, carrying water, shaping waves, and driving weather systems. We learned how waves born from distant storms can travel thousands of kilometers to touch our beaches, sculpting our land and feeding the local marine ecosystem. Filio connected it all to climate, coast, current in a way that made the sea feel more alive, more deliberate.

Into the Mangroves

No marine journey would be complete without getting our feet wet or at least our boat in the water. We wrapped up with a ride through the mangroves, a green maze nestled between land and sea. The air was quiet, broken only by bird calls and the occasional splash. We spotted crabs scuttling across muddy banks, mangrove roots tangled like ancient fingers, and fishing boats lined up with nets resting in the sun.

As we floated toward the estuary where fresh water and seawater mingle Filio pointed to the changing waterline, tape measure in hand, showing how the tide had shifted since we began. A small detail, but a powerful lesson: the Earth is always moving, always changing, and we’re just beginning to notice.

Why It Matters

The experience wasn’t just an environmental science class, it was a reminder of our connection to the coast, and how our actions ripple outward. The pollution we produce, the structures we build, and the tourism we encourage. But with awareness comes action, and with understanding comes the power to protect.

This journey through Pondicherry’s bioregion left us with more than knowledge, it left us with a sense of belonging. We didn’t just learn about the ocean, we listened to it.

So next time you feel the sea breeze or watch the tide roll in, know this: you’re standing on the edge of something ancient, rhythmic, and beautiful. A force that has shaped us, and one we are now responsible for shaping in return.